Genesis Duran of New York, New York, has been involved with Special Olympics for four years in soccer, basketball and esports. She will represent Special Olympics USA in an Additional Staff role, supporting the Unified soccer team. Genesis has competed on the New York City Football Club Unified soccer team and has represented Special Olympics New York in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. Special Olympics has changed Genesis’ life is by giving her the chance to meet many different people. Because of Special Olympics, she has new friends, teammates and adult mentors, who put their life on hold to make sure that she is doing well and is involved.
The first female to compete with the City Hawks Unified Training Club soccer team, Genesis has helped to recruit more females to join the program. She is a new student at the City College of New York and enjoys drawing, music and playing basketball. She is proud of her team in overcoming the challenges that they have faced, which have led them to the success of representing Special Olympics USA in the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023.